Patent GB-672442-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to garment and like textile article spotting machines
Inventor: JR WILLIAM C GLOVER
IPC: D06F43/00
Filed: 1950-05-08
Abstract: 672,442. Garment spotting machines. GLOVER, Inc., B. May 8, 1950, No. 11424/50. Class 138 (i). In a garment spotting machine, in which a hollow spotting table having a foraminous cover is movably mounted on a support, suction means are connected with the hollow table and control mechanism for the suction means is actuated by movement of the table relatively to the support to cause a suction through the cover and the interior of the table. The machine, Fig. 1, comprises a base 10, a hollow pedestal 16, tubular housing 38 which functions as a steam separator, a garment basket 14, a main spotting table 13, an auxiliary spotting table 12 and a chemical tray 11, arranged in stepped relation, a steam supply pipe 58, a compressed air supply pipe 67, a heat exchanger 64, a spotting gun 72 and a water spray gun 94. The main spotting table 13 is carried by a post 17 slidable in the pedestal 16 and can be adjusted for height by a clamping collar operable by a lever 19. The table 13 comprises an imperforate heel section 21 of hard and corrosion resistant material and a nose section comprising a pan 22 provided with a removable foraminous cover 23, the pan being connected by a pipe 29 and flexible hose 30 to a suitable discharge point. The basket 14 comprises a canvas or like panel 32 suspended loosely from an open frame 33 secured to a clamping collar 34 on the post 17. The basket may be adjusted for height by operating the clamp by a lever 35. The auxiliary spotting table 12 is carried by a post 42, Fig. 4, pivotably mounted in a sleeve 41 carried by the separator 38. The table 12 is adjustable for height by means of a collar 46 having thumb screws 47. The collar 46. carries a lever arm 45 provided with a stop which abuts a lug 40 on the separator 38. The table 12 can be swung in a horizontal plane carrying the lever 45 therewith. The table 12 comprises a shallow pan 49, covered by a foraminous screen 50 and connecting with a pipe 43 carried by the post 42, and an imperforate slab 52, of similar material to the part 21 mounted on top of the pipe 43. The pipe 43 is connected by a flexible hose 51 to a suitable point of discharge. The lever 45 is connected by a link 54 to a valve 55 near the top of separator 38 so that as the table 12 is swung. in a horizontal plane the valve is opened and steam is supplied via a hose 86, Y-fitting 87, Fig. 6, and tube 88 into pipe 43. By ejector action air is drawn through the screen 50 and pipe 43 to the discharge point. When the table 12 is moved back into its inoperative position the valve 55 is closed. Another steam valve 57 on the top of the separator and connected by a hose 71 to the spotting gun 72, is operable from a foot pedal 78 through a hollow shaft 79 and rod 80. The heat exchanger 64 which comprises a housing provided with a passage formed of spiral fins around the steam pipe 58 is also connected to the hose 71 through an air valve 68 operable by a foot pedal 73, crank 74 and rod 75. The separator' 38, Fig. 4, has a water overflow out-. let 60 connected by a pipe 61 through a trap 62 to discharge. Near the bottom of the separator are arranged, a manually operable valve 92 connected by a hose 93 to the spray gun 94 and a manually operable blow-out valve 90 connected by a hose 89 to the Y-fitting 87. As shown in Fig. 4 the steam separator 38 is closed at its bottom end by a plug 56. The valve 57 has a throttle member 57a co-operating with a throat portion 57b and a depending tube 82 communicating at 83 with the water 63 in the separator. On initial opening of the valve 57 by depression of the pedal 78 dry steam from the steam space of the separator is supplied to the spotting gun. On further depression of the pedal 78 the throttle 57a advances into the throat 57b so that a pressure differential is produced above and below the throat so that water is sucked-up through the tube 82 and passes through ports 57c into the steam stream so that wet steam is then supplied to the spotting gun. Referring to Fig. 9, in the inoperative condition, the valves 55, 57, 68 and 90 are closed and the valve 92 is open. Water is prevented from issuing from the gun 94 since this is provided with a trigger valve. The guns are in their inoperative positions to which they are arranged to return automatically when not ,in use. Dry or wet steam or heated air may be supplied at will to the gun 72 according as to the operation of the valves 57, 68 by their pedals 78, 73 respectively. Water may be supplied to the gun 94 on operating its trigger. By swinging the table 12 in a horizontal plane the valve 55 is opened and suction is then produced in the pipe 43. Sediment accumulating in the bottom of the separator may be removed periodically by opening the blow-out valve 90 and also swinging the table 12 to open valve 55. The flow of steam through the Y- fitting 87 then produces a suction on the hose 89 and thereby sediment is drawn from the separator and discharges with the steam through the tube 88 to the discharge end of the pipe 43. The guns can be used in conjunction with either spotting table according as to the nature of the spots to be removed from garments. Chemicals and soaps normally stored in the tray 11 are applied to the spots on the parts 21, 52 of the tables where the garments may be brushed, sponged, rubbed or scraped to loosen stains. Brushes, sponges, towels and the like for this purpose are also held in the tray 11. Flushing, feathering and drying the treated area of the -garment is performed over one or other of the foraminous parts of the tables,-the treatment then being performed by either one or other of the guns. For example .after flushing a garment portion over the screen 50, vacuuming is continued while the gun 72 is used to direct hot air through the garment, which dries it almost instantly. The use of the suction effect through screen 50 is valuable in preventing spreading of stains or moisture. The spray gun 94 is returned to its inoperative position by a spring 97 while the gun 72 is returned to its inoperative position on top of a spring loop 98 by the weight of the hose 71 which passes through the loop. The gun 72 is provided with a rubber bumper which reduces shock when the gun returns to the inoperative position.